Broncos looking for growth

Just when it looked like Boyd Christian might be turning the corner after snapping a 10-game losing streak against Legacy Athletics, familiar struggles finishing games resurfaced last week.

The Broncos dropped a 60-47 road contest at Red Boiling Springs on Monday, then fell 57-46 at home to St. Andrew’s-Sewanee on Thursday, slipping to 1-13 overall. It’s been a challenging stretch for a group that includes four seniors trying to change the trajectory of the program under second-year coach Dustin Curtis — but there have still been moments worth building on.

Boyd has flashed athleticism and fight. Jordin Mitchell energized the home crowd Thursday with a breakaway dunk. Jack Rhoton has caught fire from deep multiple times in the opening month. Jace Matheney and Weston Wright have played physical basketball inside against some talented front lines, while Jaxon Grissom has continued to provide steady guard play. Meanwhile, underclassmen Jack Oliver, Levi Jordan, Clayton Keele, and Hunter Johnson have all shown signs they could be key pieces moving forward.

“We've been through the ringer this first month,” Curtis said. “It's been tough on all of us — our schedule has been pretty rough. The main thing we have been trying to relay is just compete. Control what we can control. Some nights we struggle with that. The last few games have been better. Effort, controlling the boards, taking care of the basketball. We still need to improve, no doubt, but us coaches have seen improvement.”

Despite the overall record, Boyd sits at 1-1 in TSIAA South play after splitting games with Legacy Athletics and Lancaster Christian. The Broncos will continue conference action Thursday at home against Franklin Road Christian before closing out the pre-Christmas slate Friday against Sequatchie County.

The break can’t come soon enough, but Curtis remains encouraged by his group’s response.

“Coming back from break I just want us to keep competing, growing as a team and individually,” Curtis said. “It would be easy for this group to lay down after the first month they've had. To their credit, they keep showing up and giving all they got. That’s what I’m most proud of.”

Sewanee 57, Boyd Christian 46
Bronco scoring — Matheney 15, Rhoton 11, Mitchell 8, Jordan 6, Oliver 2, Grissom 2, Wright 2

Season leaders (not all games reported)
Points — Jordan 10.7 ppg, Matheney 9.0 ppg, Mitchell 9.0 ppg
Rebounds — Mitchell 8.3 rpg, Matheney 5.3 rpg, Jordan 4.4 rpg
Assists — Grissom 3.0 apg

Editor's Note: Story was provided free to all readers thanks to Nick Grace Photography's contributions.